A Drug for Dementia May Help Prevent Falls

IN YOUR DAILY DOSE today you’ll find that researchers discovered an unexpected side effect of medications normally used to treat dementia. This medication may help someone you know prevent a fall and broken bones.

IN MAKING CHANGES today you’ll find a list of strategies you can use to help prevent neurological damage that could trigger dementia or Parkinson’s disease.

IN FACT OR FICTION you’ll discover how a deck of cards is not exactly what it seems.

In The News

Individuals with Parkinson’s disease are at a higher risk of falls related to their loss of balance and uncoordinated lower extremity work (legs). However, researchers have now discovered that another medication normally used to treat dementia, has a secondary benefit for people with Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s affects almost 7 million people worldwide. 70 percent of those people will fall at least once during the year and over one third experiencing at least two falls. This increases their risk of bone fractures needed surgical repair or torn tendons and ligaments.

“Parkinson's UK Research Fellow Dr Emily Henderson and principal researcher on the study, based at the University of Bristol, said:

"With the degeneration of dopamine producing nerve cells, people with Parkinson's often have issues with unsteadiness when walking. As part of the condition, they also have lower levels of acetylcholine, a chemical which helps us to concentrate - making it extremely difficult to pay attention to walking.

"We already know that rivastigmine works to treat dementia by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, however our study shows for the first time that it can also improve regularity of walking, speed, and balance. This is a real breakthrough in reducing the risk of falls for people with Parkinson's."

Parkinson’s disease is debilitating. It is a disease that affects the central nervous system and affects movements. It can’t be cured and is lifelong. Physicians do have some medications that can help control the tremors, but prevention could be easier than treatment.

Researchers don’t know what triggers Parkinson’s disease, but there is some evidence that by taking care of your brain and your gut you can reduce your risk of several different neurological disorders.

Making Changes

1. Eat fermented foods or take a probiotic to reseed your intestinal tract with good bacteria.